Thank you NetGalley, Hyperion avenue, and Lisa Jewell for this eARC.

I requested this book from NetGalley purely based on author. I had no idea it was a Jessica Jones novel and although I’m a Marvel fan I didn’t know anything about her story. I was a little afraid I’d be missing out on too much background knowledge but I can happily say that even if you don’t know anything about Jessica Jones, you’ll still enjoy this one!


The mystery is this story was so captivating. I loved that we got both Jessica’s, Ophelia’s, and Polly’s story at the same time. I had a fun time trying to figure out how it was all going to come together in the end.

I absolutely LOVED the Jessica Jones TV series, and my husband and I are currently rewatching both that and Daredevil. So, when I got my hands on a copy of this book (thanks to NetGalley, my opinions are entirely my own), I was thrilled! The story kicks off at a fast pace, and while it took me a moment to fully get myself into it, I quickly found the plot captivating and ended up binge-reading it over the weekend. It was exciting to see familiar characters from Hell's Kitchen, Looking at you Luke Cage. This story line might not be for everyone, especially those unfamiliar with this darker side of the Marvel universe, but Jessica Jones remains true to her comic and TV show roots—she's still the rough-around-the-edges, party-loving character we know, living in her less-than-glamorous apartment. When a wealthy mother hires Jessica to uncover the secret behind her kids' newfound perfection, it sets off an engaging investigation. The storyline cleverly weaves in themes of social media, friendships, beauty influencers, and body image, all with a twist. For fans of Marvel, Jessica Jones, or Lisa Jewell, this book is a definite win, but I recommend having some background knowledge of Jessica Jones and her abilities to fully appreciate the story. I can't wait for the next Marvel Crime Novel!

Admittedly, I am a huge Marvel fan (especially Jessica Jones) and a huge Lisa Jewell fan, so I was pre-disposed to like this no matter what. If I hadn’t been a fan of either, I might not have liked this story as much as I did.

Breaking the Dark is an interesting story about twins who return from summer vacation in the UK, not entirely “right.” Their distraught mother seeks Jessica’s help in determining what exactly happened to her children while they were away. Naturally, Jessica’s investigation leads her into a rabbit hole of the cost of seeking perfection.

The story was entertaining and very creepy. I definitely didn’t expect it to go the way it did, but it was nice to not 100% guess how it would play out. I thought Jessica was written true to her nature, if not a little more tame than usual. Loved the sprinkling of Luke Cage and subtle nods some other Marvel folks. If anything, maybe more info into Jessica’s background for the benefit of those unfamiliar with her could have been included.

I enjoyed the story, found it easy to read and fast paced, if not a little YA leaning. I thought the writing was strong and solid. Although, again, I was super biased, so take this review with that in mind.

Lisa Jewell brings her signature suspense to the Marvel Universe in Breaking the Dark, a gritty, psychological thriller starring Jessica Jones. Retired superhero turned PI, Jessica is pulled into a haunting mystery when a mother insists her teenage twins have been replaced by something… too perfect.

What starts as a strange case quickly unravels into something darker, leading Jessica to a creepy English village and a mysterious girl named Belle. Jewell nails Jessica’s voice—sarcastic, tough, and deeply wounded—and the plot is packed with eerie twists, atmospheric settings, and just enough Marvel flavor to keep fans hooked without overwhelming new readers.

Dark, moody, and full of psychological tension, this is a fresh take on the Marvel world that reads more like Gillian Flynn meets Hell’s Kitchen noir. A fantastic start to the Marvel Crime series.

A Jessica Jones crime novel by Lisa Jewel. Count me in! I enjoyed learning more about Jessica and parts of the book were quite interesting and parts just dragged for me. I kept reading because I definitely wanted to find out what the heck was going on, and it was creepier than I would have guessed.

**A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic ARC and the opportunity to review this book.

I enjoyed every second of this book!! It was fast-paced and made me want to keep turning the pages. Jessica Jones is a strong, independent, bada$$ FMC.

This book was very different that Lisa Jewell's normal reads. I enjoyed the Marvel crime spin on it. I will be reading more like this. It felt very refreshing and was a nice palette cleanse type of read inbetween heavier books that were on my tbr. All in all, Lisa Jewell's writing always is something to try out! Anything she produces is pure magic.

Marvel is not typically my thing, but couldn't resist a Lisa Jewell book. This book had character, depth, intrigue, and was written well. I do think that someone who is well-versed in the Marvel world and likes that genre would appreciate this best. Though it's not the book for me, Lisa's writing will always keep me interested and I am glad to have tried this out.

Lisa Jewell is an auto buy author for me & I was so excited to receive a copy of Breaking the Dark: A Jessica Jones Marvel Crime Novel. This was a definite 4 star read for me & I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Not really a Marvel book fan, but am a big Jewell fan, and this novel did not disappoint! Jewell's writing lent well to the character of Jessica Jones, and I will for sure be reading all the books in this series! Jessica is bad ass, a bit of a mess, and no doubt, a super hero. I love how this novel delves into the social construct of perfection, and the lengths society will go to in order to appear perfect, including the detriment to self and others. Highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a PI read!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Lisa Jewell’s "Breaking the Dark" is a bold and atmospheric entry into the Marvel Crime series, offering a fresh take on Jessica Jones that is gripping and deeply unsettling. Jewell, known for her psychological thrillers, brings her signature tension and character-driven storytelling to the Marvel universe, crafting a mystery that is as eerie as it is emotionally resonant.

Jessica Jones, retired superhero and reluctant private investigator, is drawn into a case that defies logic. A mother insists her teenage twins have been replaced—transformed into something unnervingly perfect after visiting their father in the UK. Jessica, skeptical but intrigued, follows the trail to a secluded village where secrets fester beneath the surface. What she finds is more than just a mystery—it’s a chilling exploration of identity, trauma, and the dark side of perfection.

As always, Jewell’s writing is razor-sharp, balancing Jessica’s trademark cynicism with moments of raw vulnerability. The novel’s pacing is relentless, pulling readers into a world where the supernatural feels disturbingly plausible. The eerie village setting, with its tight-knit community and unsettling energy, adds to the novel’s creeping dread, making it one of the most atmospheric Jessica Jones stories to date.

"Breaking the Dark" is rich in psychological depth. Jessica’s struggles—her past, her self-destructive tendencies, her complicated relationship with Luke Cage—are woven seamlessly into the mystery, making this more than just a crime novel. It’s a character study, a meditation on survival, and a reminder that perfection is often just a mask for something far more sinister.

For fans of "Jessica Jones", psychological thrillers, and dark mysteries, this novel delivers a compelling blend of suspense and emotional weight. Jewell’s take on Jessica is refreshingly complex, proving that even in a world of superheroes, the most terrifying battles are often the ones fought within.

Not my favorite, not would expect from Lisa Jewell for one and for two I don’t love a Marvel collab. It’s not super interesting or exciting for me. I don’t think this is something i would seek out in the future.
2.5⭐️/ C

I was interested because Lisa Jewell is usually a favorite author but this one didn’t hit for me. It felt very young adult and I don’t feel this can be accurately described as a thriller.

I went into this book not knowing what to expect in the end as im not a huge fan of marvel. But as i got into the story and got to know the characters I was pleasantly surprised! Definitely worth a read

Jessica Jones used to be a superhero but decided it was not the life for her. She has tried her best to forget this part of her life and live as a “normal” person and private investigator. One day, she is approached by Amber Randall who requires her assistance. Amber’s children have been acting strange since they have returned from visiting their father in the UK and she even thinks they might not even be her children. She hires Jessica to go to the UK from New York to try and figure out what, if anything, happened while they were away to cause them to act so odd upon their return.

This novel is a bit hard for me to rate. I love Lisa Jewell’s writing, so I gave it a go. The writing in the book was good and the storyline was captured well. As she travels from New York to the UK to investigate, the story unfolds through multiple timelines and perspectives, which initially left me disoriented but eventually came together.

I am not a huge Marvel fan which is probably why I struggled with this one, but I am open to trying new genres of books. Perhaps I have been missing out on a genre I could love. But sadly, this is not my genre. I think to fully appreciate this book, you need to research or already know the history of Jessica Jones. A few times she refers to things which happened in her past to define her today and I was a bit lost.

Despite this, I would absolutely recommend it to those who love Marvel and superheroes. 3.75 stars - rounding up for rating.

You don’t have to be a Marvel fan to read this book, which is something I love. I’m a Lisa Jewell fan, so didn’t want to pass this up! This left me more intrigued with the marvel world. The switching timelines was hard for me to follow and I found myself wanting to be involved in the mystery of the twins and skip over the the backstory at first. Lisa Jewell can’t go wrong with

A gritty, fast-paced dive into the mind of Jessica Jones, this novel blends noir vibes with Marvel grit in the best way. Jewell brings psychological depth and sharp dialogue to a story that feels cinematic and raw. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Jessica, this crime novel hits hard and lingers.

I love Lisa Jewell and this spin on Marvel character Jessica Jones did not disappoint. I typically don’t read Science fiction, but there was enough mystery in this to make it enjoyable for me.
Jessica Jones is a private investigator that is approached by a single mother of teenager twins. When they return from the UK where they visited their dad for the summer and were not quite themselves she got suspicious. They look like the twins, but they had the most perfect skin and kept saying everything was perfect. She hired Jessica to find out what happened to the twins.
Jessica spins time overseas retracing the twins summer activities and discovers weird things that happened in this small UK town.
The book is dual POV and dual timeline with another character that ties in the history and current day events that have caused the twins to think everyone is perfect.

I was so intrigued to see a Marvel novel and by Lisa Jewell! It was very interesting and a concept I had never read about before: AI! It was a bit slow at times but overall a good read. I may venture into the other Crime novels that come out by other authors!

Breaking the Dark was a super cool read as a Marvel fan. The story was fast and interesting. The mystery kept me hooked without getting confusing. I liked how it showed both her strong, tough side and her struggles, and her sarcasm made the whole thing fun to read. It felt like a dark detective show with rain, secrets, and people you don’t know if you could trust.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Marvel Press for the ARC!